No. 10 Florida Secures Series, Run Rules Kentucky on Saturday
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the second-straight game, the No. 10 Florida Gators run-ruled No. 23 Kentucky softball to secure the series win Saturday, beating the Wildcats 9-1 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.
Kentucky managed just one hit on the afternoon, as Ally Hutchins drove in a run in the top of the first inning to score Kentucky’s only run of the game with UK unable to muster another hit in the contest. The Gators scored three in the bottom of the first and three more in the bottom of the fourth and then three runs on a pair of home runs to close out the game in the sixth to induce the run rule win.
With the win, Florida improves to 28-4 overall on the season and is tied for first in the Southeastern Conference with a 4-1 league record. Kentucky falls to 20-10 on the season and is 0-5 in league play.
Key Play
Florida pinch hitter Baylee Goddard hit a walk-off, pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the sixth to give the Gators the 9-1 lead and walk off the game to give UF the series.
Key Player
The key player in the game for Kentucky was Ally Hutchins, who was able to scratch across the only hit of the game for the Wildcats in the top of the first inning.
Key Stat
- The Florida pitching staff only needed 79 pitches to win the game Saturday. UK’s pitching staff threw 155 in the contest.
Run Recap
Rylea Smith scored on an RBI single up the left side by Ally Hutchins in the top of the first inning. UK 1, UF 0
In the bottom of the first, Florida took advantage of three walks and two hits to score three times. UF 3, UK 1
In the bottom of the fourth, Kentucky pitching again succumbed to walks and a home run as Florida pushed three runs across. UF 6, UK 1
To close out the game, Florida scored a two-run HR and a solo HR to end it. FINAL – Florida 9, Kentucky 1 (5 innings)
NEW for 2024 – The Kentucky Softball Designated Players Club
The Designated Players is the Official Booster Program of Kentucky Softball. Financial contributions and community support through The Designated Players program, Kentucky Softball will be able to continue to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. To join The Designated Players, you can join online or click here to download the membership form and mail to the address listed. For more information, email Kristine Himes at kentuckysoftball@uky.edu or Larry Cash at Larry.Cash@uky.edu.
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